The Management of the conservation of Masjed-e Jame, Isfahan

Abstract

Masjed-e Jame of Isfahan represents over one thousand year old tradition and history of mosque construction in Iran, demonstrating a variety of practical techniques, architectural styles and Iranian architectural decorations altogether in one building complex. The unique example of Iranian Islamic architecture was finally recognised as having international importance and therefore registered in 2012.The imperfections in Isfahan`s Masjed-e Jame nomination file may have delayed the registration process for its inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List (WHL) took a long time (4 years). Each nomination file is composed of nine sections. The aim of this thesis is to clarify the weak points of the registered nomination file of Masjed-e Jame as a World Heritage Site (WHS), based on UNESCO guideline and to propose improvements for increasing the quality of Masjed-e Jame conservation management plan by utilizing nomination files of some similar registered sites in the WHL. Additionally, to show how these suggestions improve the quality of nomination files of similar monuments under preparation. The research was conducted by selecting similar sites from the WHL. To select similar sites to the Masjed-e Jame, it was necessary to prepare a series of tables which consists of all the registered sites in UNESCO from around the world. All 981 registered monuments on WHL in 2013 were evaluated in three different phases and eliminated by different criteria at each phase to leave eight suitable case studies. The research continued by assessing the eight selected nomination files and categorizing each part of the file as either excellent, good, average, adequate and poor. This evaluation used the main sections of nomination files based on UNESCO guideline which are: 1. Identification of the properties; 2. Description; 3. Justification for inscription; 4. State of conservation and factors affecting the properties; 5. Protection and management of the property; 6. Monitoring; 7. Documentation; 8. Contact information of responsible authorities; 9. Signature on behalf of the state party. By clarifying the weak and strong points of each nomination file, the following recommendations were proposed to improve the quality of nomination file of Masjed-e Jame and also the application of the findings in to similar monument nomination files under preparation. These included: 1) Full details of the location of The management of the conservation of Masjed-e Jame, Isfahan D the site; 2) Providing list of the site`s owners; 3) The usage of maps beside the text and referring to the policies; 4) Appropriate scientific methods to solve or reduce problems with the building fabric, usage etc.; 5) Preparing lists of responsibilities related to the selected organizations; 6) The relationship to tourism; 7) The connections between universities and related organizations; 8) The concentration on the urgent priorities by separating projects into long and short term; 9) Documentation. Furthermore, a timetable by considering priority was proposed to improve the Masjed-e Jame conservation management plan.

Date of Award	21 Aug 2015
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Plymouth